CJ seeks records of speeches made last week by President Zardari and PPP co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has directed the relevant section of the Supreme Court to furnish before him records of speeches made last week by President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at on the occasion of Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto.

The hard-hitting speeches in question openly caste doubts and criticised the judiciary in general and the Supreme Court in particular – particularly the one by the PPP’s young co-chairman during a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee in Naudero.

Sources said a note was submitted to the Chief Justice based on press clipping regarding the speeches, on which Justice Chaudhry directed the concerned section in the apex court to furnish a complete record before him.

Sources in the Supreme Court, however, said that it was a routine matter as the Chief Justice usually seeks more information about important issues when a file is put before him. However, on many occasions, such records serve as catalysts for suo-moto notice on important issues.

Two PPP leaders – the prime minister himself as well as Senator Babar Awan – are already facing contempt proceedings.

Can SC of Pakistan, take some suo moto ( self motored ? ) action if someone says that in his opinion in the history of Pak judiciary and Supreme Court, the justices have sometimes being party to subverting the constitution of Pakistan, which is a treasonous act and have been complicit even as alleged in the judicial murder of a elected Prime Minister ?

The irony is this PCO SC does not take any action on major massacres and defense failures at all. However, the court tries to look for excuses to target the elected parties who have rubbed his ego the wrong way. Does anybody even know that this court has set up world record in suo motu and contempt cases? When talking about the PCO CJ, freedom of speech goes down the drains. While the Indian SC judges help their elected PM and cooperate with the release of the Doc, Pakistani SC has a policy of targeting the elected leaders and letting go all the others.

If Pakistani law prevents someone from expressing their opinion about your judiciary – then you should change that law. Justice Chaudhry’s recent actions have portrayed him as a thin skinned prima-donna – if you can’t take the heat then stay out of the kitchen.

If only the CJ would pass timely judgements on cases in front of the SC before taking on more issues.
If tough and timely rulings can’t be made against the powerful then every one else should be shown the same leniency.
How dare ANYONE specifically the politicians and their political lawyers make open speeches against the judiciary.
In the recent years, all we hear about are the great expectations from the youth of the country. Well, we are already seeing what our youth – even the Oxford educated – is capable of!!
Long live the Prince of fools!

This is no longer funny. Looks like the courts want to rule the nation by proxy. There is nothing wrong in having an opinion about an institution – positive or negative. Only when the judgement of the court is unheeded does the issue of contempt arise. The SC is acting like a dictator. The witch hunt is on…

Both speeches were irresponsible & shameful to say the least. Needless to say that most Pakistani’s are good and hardworking people. The problem is with country managers. Arrogant People with no vision, low or non existent integrity, feudal mentality, intolerant to the core with zero achievement in personal or professional life are allowed to represent the nation at the highest level. They are never punished for their indescretions and the rot they create in mismanagement of their responsibilities, in complete violation of the oath of a public office. Till when can our people allow such people to represent the nation of Pakistan.

PTI today represents our best chance to effectively manage the dire situation we are in today as a country. Please vote for them to bring about sanity in our country management ranks!

Today’s editorial in ET says “2,000 people were killed in cylinder blasts in 2011″
There is no action or reaction as there is no ego or fame involved in taking suo motu action on saving the lives of thousands of innocent Pakistanis. My family and friends have fought for the restoration of judiciary but their egos got the better of them.
How can the SC put a ban on the free speech on a death anniversary? Despite the legal fraternity calling ZAB’s hanging a judicial murder, the PCO SC wants to put a gag order on the free speech. By electing PPP the people of Pakistan has proved the decisions of SC wrong and not a single judge or general could dare contest elections let alone winning on anti Bhutto platform. From Justice Munir to Nasim Shah to now PCO judges they have an ignominious history that cannot be kept hidden. They simply cannot keep the facts hidden in this age of media.

The Chief Justice made hiself controvercial by picking up selected events or cases for trials. Why his sence of humanity does not move when time and again the May 12 gory drama is mentioned to him. Understandably, we had to have coined various names for Army, Askari, Defai, sensivtive Agency etc, now we have to find names for judges and judiciary. such as the main on the Constiutional Avenue, the group of honest, cleaned and fair people sitting on the court etc.

I agree with @Yaida. This goes far beyond the mandate of the courts. Nobody is above criticism. The SC does not have carte-blanche power in Pakistan. The current set of judges have let power go to their heads. Why don’t they take notice of all the misdoings of the military in the past? Have they held them responsible for even one act?

This is all stupid! Doesn't look like this "Ego Circus" is going to stop soon. I mean here the nation is struggling with the deteriorating condition of day-to-day living conditions and the most responsible institutions are showing claws, teeth & muscle-flexing to each other. By picking politicians' speech cases the judiciary just proved it has as much of a calibre as it's hand picked defendants.Recommend

When it comes to the constitutional powers of the executive the court and its rightwing apologists start talking about the equality of all in Islam. Even though the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been unanimously approved and endorsed by each and every govt. They do not stop talking against the constitutional powers like no presidential immunity and powers to pardon. However, when it comes to the non elected paid govt employs they are so sacred that nobody can remind them of their ignominious history. Telling the truth becomes unislamic when it comes to the big egos. Where is the Islamic equality and free speech now?
Here is a recent example how the parliament (the supreme body who makes and changes the laws not the SC) of a country deals with the SC. Even though Philippines is not an Islamic country but everybody is equal and nobody is above criticism and justice.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16144786